Our days usually start off at six, breakfast by 7:30 and out by 8:30. Today was our last day working with RLabs. RLABS is an organization that believes in supporting the passions and future of township youth, so they provide classes to empower them to achieve their dreams. Today we did a human centered design activity with our RLabs friends (who are in their early twenties). Our problem was how to get technology/internet access to the youth. First we created a pitch on how we can bring mobile trucks that teach computer/coding techniques through games to gain attention from the kids in urban areas. Then we made a design, sketched out on paper, of a truck with a bullhorn that’ll have an announcement that can attract the kids to come to the prototype. Then lastly we made a prototype out of Legos. This experience opened my eyes and make feel as I should try harder to help my community explore the free opportunities that they have that can help them pursue their dreams. Also, I want my community to know that there are people that care and are here to help them with resources and open minds and ears.
After the activity, we said our goodbyes took a tour of Bo-Kaap. Bo-Kaap is an area in Cape Town that used to be a Malay neighborhood. Bo-Kaap is a very religious community, dominated by Muslims, where you can see the Nurul Islam Mosque, which was established in 1844. Our tour guide Sherrie was a local and cool with everyone she came into contact with. I would say that she’s very active in her community: every time a child passed by they would speak, hug her, then she would give them a piece of candy. So I like how she’s a tour guide and she’s actually from there and interacting with the people in her community. She’s able to give all the local information she gave us. So, that was something I noticed and appreciated. For dinner we ate at Nando’s at the Waterfront Mall. Our leaders gave us a little incentive by giving us a little time to walk around in the mall for about 20 mins and meet back up in the entrance. Then we came back to the hostel and had our nightly reflection where we talked about the challenges we’ve faced so far and how we want to be open discussing sensitive topics within our group. I can say that this day has made me thankful for all of the resources that we have in schools and in communities and our basic human rights.
Destiny B., Maya Angelou Public Charter School